Hiking matters #48: Exploring the barely-explored Peak 1 of Makiling


LOS BANOS, LAGUNA – Recently I reported about Makiling’s reopening, and last weekend I decided to give it a try via the regular UPLB Trail. I was in for a big surprise, that is, the existence of a trail to Peak 1! Yes, guys, there is now a trail leading to Peak 1, previously not part of any trail system. Even the forest rangers of the Makiling Forest Reserve say that the Peak 1 trail has only begun to exist this year; they had to make way through rivers and raw forest to climb Peak 1 in the past. Some hikers have climbed Peak 1 too – so maybe they can share more details of this trail’s emergence.

To access Peak 1, just take the regular UPLB trail until you reach the grassland campsite. Just beyond this is a sign that reads “Wilderness Zone”. No more than 100m from this point is a dead river wherein the trail branches into two. Take the left, steep trail (SW). At first, we thought this was just a spin-off of the Peak 2 trail but the environments were clearly different. The flora was more untamed; it was very much like Cristobal’s far side, replete with rattan, lipa, y otros diablos. Steep is the trail and muddy; it is not at all like the Peak 2 trail with its tall trees and mossy environs.

After 2.5 hours from the Nursery, we reached Peak 1. Unlike its counterpart Peak 2, the summit was totally unremarkable. The only view was that of the landslides of the Sipit (Sto.Tomas) trail and glimpses of Laguna de Bay in the final leg; the flora is not at all like the moss-covered grandeur of Peak 2; there were occassional pakpaklawin and lots of noxious lipa (nettles). Yet, this is still Peak 1 of Makiling, the counterpart of the famous Peak 2 and an integral, almost equal, part of its contour.

Once again, my friend and namesake Gideon Sarreal joined me in this trip with his friend Lalaine (Thanks guys!) I actually intended to just rest in our house in Los Banos, but the mountain’s gravity was too strong and I can’t hold myself back. In the end, it was a good thing.

So now I have completed all three peaks of Makiling: Peak 2 which I first reached when I was 9 years old; Peak 3 when I did Makiling via the Sto. Tomas (Sipit) Trail, and finally, Peak 1 today.

Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply

5 Comments on "Hiking matters #48: Exploring the barely-explored Peak 1 of Makiling"


Guest
Anonymous
13 years 3 months ago

Sir Gideon, I'm Jorge Vincent Bitoon from san pedro, laguna at recently lng ako ngtry mg-hike. 1st hike ko sa Mt. Makiling UP trail at ang ganda ng view lalu n sa peak 2. Na-try ko n din ung MakTrav last July 2, 2011. Pero ang nakaagaw tlga ng pansin skin ay kung asan tlga ang Peak 1. Buti n lng I read your blog. Gusto ko sana mapuntahan un at if ever merong mga groups or may activity na planning to establish the trail, join ako jn. More power to your site and to the Mountaineering community of the Philippines. And I'm looking forward to meet you in person and join you in your expeditions and future climbs.

Guest
Anonymous
14 years 6 days ago

naghike ako kahapon ng peak 2. super sukal ngayon ng trail… halos hindi makita ang daan… good thing nakaakyat na ako dati kaya alam ko na kung anong hahanapin ko… papasukin ko sana ung trail pataas.. peak 1 pala un.. kaso nakalagay DO NOT ENTER MAPANGANIB. At dahil nag-iisa lang ako e nagpeak 2 na lang ako. sana malinis ng konti ang trail. ang daming sanga at puno na nakaharang sa trail.

Guest
Anonymous
15 years 6 months ago

Sir,

na try din po namin mag climb yung peak 1 last month. at first we thought maling trail yung nadaanan naman coz dead end yung steep trail sa tuktok. anyways, thanks for posting this, ngayon alam ko na na peak 1 yun. hehehehehehehe ^_^

Guest
Anonymous
15 years 6 months ago

Sir Gid, Sinubukan namin ngayon tong peak 1… kahit hindi maganda view sa taas e very exciting pa rin!!! sa wakas nakumpleto ko na rin 3 peaks ng makiling!!! ang dami tlga ratan saka lipa… pero challenging ung trail ok…. napunit pa leg guard ko dahil sa ratan…dami rin limatik!!!! Thanks!!!

-mac

Guest
15 years 6 months ago

Mr.gideon I’m russel Choi korean who were met u before at mt.maculot.

I ve been peak 2 28th March also. I climbed up peak 2 over 100 times but didn’t tried peak 1. very happy to know how to visit to paek 1. many thx.

and I’m still climb up every saturday with my wife also. I may join pinatubo on april too.

hope to keep and touch.

russel choi